My fabulous (and fellow sorority Terp!) MCW tagged me in her posting today and I am playing along right now because....the internet is back up and working at my apartment! I never thought I would say this....but....thank you, Comcast. I was scared I was gonna have to read a book tonight. Or clean.

Okay, so the name of the game is listing 5 things I could not, should not, would not leave the house without.

1. My blackberry. I mean, that's a no brainer. Because if I was locked out or didn't have my wallet, I could deal if I could get in touch with people. Without keys, wallet AND blackberry. Total nightmare meltdown.

2. Hair tie. And usually also some bobby pins, a headband, spin pins...you name it. I need something on me to let me pull my hair back. Because chances are if my hair is down, it will be going up/back in about 15 minutes.

3. Curled lashes and groomed brows. I may not need a ton of makeup, but these two things are clutch. In case you are interested (and I am sure you are not) I am partial towards a Shu Umera curler and Maybelline Great Lash Big Lash. And for the ladies (and well groomed metrosexuals) who may be reading this, if you are not doing something to your brows, you are not looking your best. I'm not talking about waxing or threading or even plucking some strays on your own. I am talking about using an eyebrow pencil or powder to really define your brows, especially the arch. TRUST ME, this makes a HUGE difference. You will look more polished, more rested, like you have better skin...all of it, you will just look prettier. I promise you. I have been known to force my friends to sit down so I can fix their brows before we go out and they have seen first hand the difference it makes. I am currently in love with tarte Brow Mousse> And yes, if you click on that link it's gonna take you to QVC. Don't get me started on my love of The Q.

4. My contact lenses. I am just not a fan of glasses on me - although my new glasses are pretty darn cute.

But 95% of the time I am wearing my contacts -- and usually carrying a small bottle of drops or lens solution just in case I have any contact issues.

5. Lip balm. I know many people are die hards of a particular brand, but I am a bit of a lip balm floozy -- I bounce around between brands but ALWAYS have at least one (usually 2-3) on me. I became ridiculously happy recently when Smith's Rosebud Salve starting being offered in a tube, I think I bought 3 of them right away.
I am also a little hesitant to say that I am getting on board the Sugar Lip Treatment bandwagon. I tested it out the other night at Sephora because I know people LOVE the stuff but could it really be that good. And yes, yes it was.

The good news though is that I found a good deal on it at...QVC. You can make fun of me and my Q Love all you want, I don't care. If you aren't shopping for your beauty products on The Q, you don't know what you are missing!

Okay so now I get to tag five folks to tell us exactly what five things they can't leave the house without:
Mel at Chicago Girl Gone Mild
Connecticut Cupcake
Joyce at It's Always Funny in Colum-Bubble
Amy at Just Add Walter
And Now a Brief Word From Our Sponsors...

Swappity Swap Swap -- all the cool kids are doing it

So something my inner blogging nerd has been dying to do, is host a swap. I know, I know. People have told me they can be a pain to host. People have told me you get let down when people half-ass their participation. People have told me they refuse to participate in one.

Well I say, "Unbutton your crankypants and let's live a little, people!" So I am going to check something off my "To do in 2011" list and host my very own Valentine's Swap.

Brace yourselves, readers. I have a shocking confession to make. I actually kind of dig Valentine's Day. I know, soooo out of character for me, right? How can a girl who's walked in on Naked Snack Time and suffered Crass Break-up Texts have even a shred of hopeless romantic left in her?

I like the cheesiness...I like the candy hearts...I like the cute little cards. I just like it, ok? Has nothing to do with having a special someone as your Valetine to get all romantical with (although hey, technically there is still some time to find one!) Actually, I think the Valentine's Days where I did have a special someone in my life have been some of the not-so-fun ones -- top points would go to the guy who left on Valentine's Day to go to a Jimmy Buffet concert in FL with his friends (then called me drunk from the hotel room to let me know he burnt his hand while ironing something -- Happy Valentine's Day!!)


Anyway, most of my Valentine's Days have been spent without a "special someone" and I still get a kick out of this meaningless Hallmark holiday. I choose the occasion to send Valentines to my friends. My dear sweet AB and I used to send each other flowers every year, started one year I think as a ploy to make one of our exes jealous...then turned into a sweet little tradition. (AB - are you reading? Did we do that last year? I honestly can't remember...that must mean we are getting old) I think last year I may have sent some valentines cards to my friend's kids. Kids so young they can't read let alone know wht the hell Valentine's Day is. I just like February 14th...don't judge me.

So I would like to host a swap...for all of those out there who love Valentine's Day too. Or for all those looking for a reason to like Valentine's Day this year. Come on...pretty please won't you participate in my swap?

Here's the details:
• To participate, please leave your email address in the comment section below by Wednesday, Feb 2. I will send you your matches no later than Friday, 2/4.
• If you would like to participate but can't comment below, send me an email at DeviledMegsMail (at) gmail.com.
• To keep this as simple as possible (it's my first time guys) I am going to limit this to US residents. But I do love those of you reading all over the great big globe!! I was just told by those more experienced in all things swapping, that they ahve difficulty finding people who are willing to ship outside the US. I am a swap hosting virgin, so maybe this is not the case?? Feel free to enlighten me peeps!
• In the comments, leave some of your favorites - candies, treats, color, hobbies, whatever. Just some things that might give people some clues as to what to put in your Valentine's day care package.
• $20 limit (not including shipping) and just make sure it gets to your swap partner by Monday, Feb. 14th.

So whaddya say...want to help me celebrate Valentine's Day and spread the love?

What I'm Loving Wednesday

I'm loving...Kellogg's Fiber Plus bars in the new Coconut Caramel Fudge flavor. Hand to GOD, these taste just like a Girl Scout Samoa cookie. One bar is only 120 calories but tastes like I should feel SO much guiltier about eating it. They are seriously that good. I need to find out from Kellogg's if this is some sort of limited edition flavor so I can go and buy every box I see while they are still available.

I'm loving...planning trips. Back to Chicago in March, Vegas in April, and maybe even Boston in May. The way things have felt at work and in life lately, having fun trips to look forward to helps make it all seem a little bit more bearable.

I'm loving...new music. I am currently enjoying Mumford & Sons. Mr. Toothbrush played them for me in the car once and I really dug it. Oddly enough, I usually walk away from many failed relationships with a new artist/group that I like. So it's all not a total loss, right?

I'm loving...presents. Yes, to get them is wonderful, but as I have mentioned on here before I absolutely LOVE giving the perfect present. I recently attended a retreat where I was in charge of the gifts for our advisees. When they opened their gifts and could not stop talking about how much they loved them, I felt like a million bucks. A special thank you to those that have been singing the praises of the Michael's dollar section lately -- those dollar reusable tote bags were the perfect bag to give the gifts in! Cheaper than a paper gift bag from Target and better because they can be used again and again.

I'm loving...swaps. Probably because I am loving giving presents so much but it also makes me feel like I have some sort of secret pen pal or something. I am so tempted to host a swap on here...but am thinking that as crazy and busy as life has been lately, that may be biting off more than I can chew. We shall see - maybe it would be a way to put all those hours I should be sleeping to good use?

I'm loving...that summer concert tickets have been purchased! I got my ticket to see Sugarland in May - warmer weather and outdoor concerts cannot get here soon enough.

I'm loving...the crazzy @ss, loony b*tches on "The Bachelor." They make me feel better about myself.

Star light, star bright. I wish I may, I wish I might...

....get some #@%*ing sleep tonight. Oh good grief, this is so not good. Over Friday and Saturday nights I got a rough total of 9 hours sleep. Oh yes, bloggy friends. Nine. Hours. TOTAL.

And now, here I am on Sunday night. Well, really now it's Monday morning. And wish I may and wish I might, I cannot get myself to sleep tonight. Body is tired but mind is just turning gears. Hopefully tomorrow is a relatively "smooth sailing" kind of day because I think I will be too ungodly tired to deal with anything more than that.

I hope to be posting a bit of stuff this week (yay!) I am getting closer and closer to that magical 100 mark. So exciting -- can I give a "shout out" to the new followers? I am usually fairly anti-shout out, but it seems called for on this occasion.

I'd also like to wish a Happy 1-week Anniversary to me and my new BFF, the macbook. Quick question for anyone reading this....do you name inanimate objects you use on the regular? I know lots of folks have names for their cars (I don't, although I often feel I should) but I did name my very first iPod Ichabod when I got it six years ago (almost to the day of the macbook purchase oddly enough.)

So what do we think....name the macbook? And if so, is this beautiful piece of computing loveliness a boy or a girl?

2011 Wish List

I have never been a huge fan of New Year's resolutions. They always seem like an "all or nothing" attempt and most people often fall short. I feel like sometimes the standard is set too high or there is too much pressure. A combination of things really, but I rarely get on board the whole resolution bandwagon.



But that is not to say that I don't have goals, hopes, dreams and wishes for myself in the new year. I most definitely do -- lots of 'em for 2011, in fact. They have been rolling around in my head now for a bit and casually interjected into some conversations and emails. But I feel like I need to post them here to make them really and truly official. Since I have all of you readers to hold me accountable!

Originally I thought I would organize them by priority, or even categorize them. But as days in January keep ticking away...I think it's best I just throw them up against the wall and let them stick without plan, rhyme or reason. Let's play this one fast and loose, shall we? :) I think I may need to break this into a few posts -- I mean I am really not kidding when I say I have many hopes and wishes for what 2011 may hold for good ol' Deviled Megs.

Write more. I attempted this last year for Lent and didn't quite meet my goal of 40 posts in 40 days, but it did get me back into some more consistency and regularity in my posting. Writing is always something I have had a passion for and that has brought me joy, and who couldn't stand to have a little more joy in their life, right?

Get to (and hopefully surpass?) 100 followers. I know, this is such a lame and potentially vain goal to have, isn't it? I hate myself too. But every time I notice I have new followers, it gives me a thrill beyond words. Are you reading this now and have not yet become a follower? It's free and takes one click AND it will make me feel better about myself. I mean really, what's stopping you? Go give it a click and consider it your good deed for the day.

Learn to take a compliment. I imagine this might be a good goal for many of us in the new year since it is something that can make many of us uncomfortable. But something this little blog has brought me that I was totally unprepared for was compliments. From family members who read, from people who knew me in high school or college, from total strangers...I have received so many lovely compliments on my writing and my sense of humor. And I don't know quite how to take them. I am not someone who is used to getting compliments so this is a little bit of a new thing for me but I would like to get more comfortable with it and more gracious in receiving them.

Make this blog prettier to look at. Because right now it's pretty blah, right? To be fair, I had started the process way back in the summer with one designer and we weren't exactly on the same page design-wise. After that, I contracted some work from another designer who, for outside reasons that were not in her control, I am still waiting to receive my deliverable from. But yes, I know this place would be a lot more fun to come and visit with me at if it looked a little spruced up. That said, if any of you reading this can recommend someone, please message me! I think referrals in that line of work are worth their weight in gold.


(Speaking of weight...) Keep on track with my health and fitness. Yes, you read that right, I said keep on track, not start a new regime. Since the Fall, I have lost just over 15 lbs. Apparently slow and steady IS the best way to do these sorts of things. I feel great about it, although no one but me has really noticed the change. I still have some more I'd like to lose, but fell a bit off track during the holidays. Not that I gained a bunch back, I have just sort of stayed around the same. So time to push through the plateau and get back on track.

Let go. I want to let go of so very much this year. Clothes in my closet I have no need or use for. Stresses I come across at work. Friendships that may have become stagnant or are no longer fulfilling. Worries about things that may be out of my control. Papers, cards, tchotchkes and other stuff I am holding on to for no good reason. These are just some of the things that I need to clear out of my life in 2011. Otherwise there will not be enough room for all the wonderful things I am hoping, wishing and planning for!


Hold on tight. Sometimes this one can be a little bit harder than letting go for me. I need to hold on to the things and the people that matter. To hold focus on the things I want for myself and where I want to go in my life. To hold on to who I am as a person and not let people/time/situations/circumstances change me for the worse. Even when holding on to all those things can be difficult or take time. I need to trust myself and my gut to know the difference between what I need to hold on to and what I need to let go of.

End things on a positive. Back in my sorority days, there were many aspects of our meetings and our daily dealings where we had to "end things on a positive", and for the most part we did. Granted, sometimes it was a bit of a stretch. During bid sessions, when discussing potential members we definitely did not want in our chapter, people often ended their comments by stating that the young woman in question "was totally a shining star....just in another house." Hey, I didn't say these were heartfelt and emphatic positives, just that the effort was made. But I think there is a good takeaway in that practice...so I am going to aim by ending more things positively -- work days, blog postings, phone calls, emails, you get my drift.

So speaking of sororities...I may or may not have mentioned on here that I actually serve as an advisor to a collegiate chapter. I know, I can't believe I do that either. I honestly did it because I thought maybe I may make some new friends with the other board members. I like them all and we all seem to work well together, but I can't say we are all necessarily grabbing coffee together. Still, I made the commitment and I always honor my commitments. We are now heading into Formal Recruitment. Or what those of you that may have gone through it know it better as...HELL. You know, if hell had matching outfits, songs, clapping, glitter, balloons and pink lemonade. So please pray for me. I need all the help I can get.

Just can't resist this giveaway

As has been discussed in numerous previous posts, I am a total sucker for a monogram. I have one on my car. I have one on my phone. I imagine it is only a matter of time before I find a way to slap one on my Macbook.

So you won't be surprised to know I am crossing my fingers and toes hoping I may win the Marley Lilly giveaway hosted by College Prep.


So pretty, right?

WTF Wednesday

Maybe I should start a new weekly posting called WTF Wednesday...but I had such an odd experience tonight that I wanted to share this funny(ish) story with you.

I blew off something else I had on the books this evening becuase I was just feeling tired and not up to socializing. I was in need of a manicure (I Shellac, do you?) so I thought that would be my perfect treat for the evening. Luckily my nail place was pretty dead on a Wednesday evening in the middle of winter.

I was taken right away and seated at a station for my nails to soak. Back in the pedicure area were a woman and her husband getting pedicures side by side. They were late 50s/early 60s and I thought "Huh, well that's something I don't see everyday" before they later moved into the manicure area to get side by side manicures.

Then a second couple came in to get their side-by-side manicures. The woman was getting a mani as well and I heard the man (no ring, but they were clearly together) mention to the nail tech that he would also be needing a mani and....wait for it....his eyebrows done.

And because everything really happens in threes, as I was finishing up, another dude came in (this time solo) for a pedicure. I mean, I would think the pedicure business is a little slower in January...but to see three GUYS getting pedicures on a random Wednesday night in January, WTF?!?

What I'm Loving Wednesday

Happy Wednesday afternoon! Linking up again with Jamie at This Kind of Love for What I'm Loving Wednesday. Even though I am feeling rather blech this week (a combo of weather, mood, mental state, work, you name it!) there are still a few things I am love-love-loving! While I may not be totally seeing the glass as half full, it is far from being half empty. And just in case you were curious, that glass is most definitely always on a coaster (pet peeve.)



I'm loving...the fact that it is already Wednesday, first and foremost. 4-day work weeks pretty much rock.

I'm loving...the show "Greek." Yes, still obsessed with this show. What I am loving about it most at the moment is that L realized there was an entire season that we did not have on DVD loan from my Mom. And that means 20 lovely episodes streaming right to my Netflix. Swoon.

I'm loving...getting organized at work. While my computer was out of commission today for about 45 minutes, I cleaned off my desk, cleared out desk drawers, organized files...I am exhausted from all my productivity.

I'm loving...bloggy friends who leave me comments and send me emails. You all make me smile, seriously. You guys are flat out fantabulous.

I'm loving...truffle popcorn. I got to try some last night for the first time. Deeeeeee-licious. Probably tastier because it was FREE. And for those readers who are in DC, do yourself a favor and take a trip to Screwtop Wine Bar in Clarendon. Love that place, never disappoints.

I'm loving...Glee Volume 4. If you do not have it yet, you have no idea what awesomeness you are missing out on. Seriously, you need it in your life. Trust me. Don't ask questions, just get your hands on a copy now. You can come back here and thank me later. I got it for my drive up to NJ this past weekend and had all but lost my voice by the time I got to my friend's apt. THAT is how much singing I did in the car ride up. And I didn't sound that bad, if I do say so myself!

And here are the three biggest LOVES for this week:
I'm loving...old friends. Between getting to see friends while I was in Chicago and a weekend drive up to NJ to celebrate another friend;'s birthday, I love that we are able to stay in each other's lives and always pick up as if no time has passed and try to go out like the crazy girls we once were in younger days.

I'm loving...new friendships that you get through old friends. My friends from college have some kick-ass friends. Girls they have known since high school (or earlier), girls that they have met through work, girls they have met when they moved to new places. All too often (or maybe I just find it to be so true here in DC) women can be too judgy/bitchy/catty towards women they don't know. But not my friends' circles of friends. They just jump right in and get to know you and soon you are all laughing and drinking and carrying on like you have known each other for years. And in both of these recent trips to NJ and Chicago, I have had such fun with these friends-of-friends. So much so that my next trip to Chicago was planned well before I left to fly back to DC last week. If any of you may be reading this, thanks for making these two trips so much F-U-N!

And what I'm loving most of all...is my new best friend in the picture below. Words cannot express how different my life seems now that this little guy is in it. I didn't believe in love at first sight, until now.
Love. True Love.

Tuesday, nothing newsday

Every time I have gotten frustrated or stressed over something at work today, I have reminded myself that at least it is Tuesday, shortened work weeks are the best.

I had a posting I wanted to get to today, but have been far too busy kicking @ss at work. I'm actually serious, I have been pretty much tearing through things today. It must be a burst of energy and productiveness I have as a result of the roughly 15 hours of sleep I got yesterday. And NO, I am not exaggerating that amount. I was asleep more than I was awake yesterday. And for once in the last month or so, I am not sick or feeling like I am coming down with something. I think all my running around and stress and what not caught up with me and my body kind of powered down yesterday. Great because I am sure I needed it. Not so great because I had a bunch of errands and chores that I really needed to take care of yesterday that will have to wait until who knows when.

Has anyone else out there had extreme sleep issues? Either I (a) cannot fall asleep, (b) am waking up often throughout the night so have very poor quality of sleep, (c) wake up freakishly early, like at 4 am, and can't fall back to sleep, or (d) I sleep so much you would think I was a hibernating bear. I am not sure if I am at a point where I should be concerned and perhaps talk to my doctor about it. Hopefully it is something I can get back to "normal" soon enough before I develop any scary Motrin PM dependencies.

Hope you all had lovely weekends -- esp if they were 3 days long like mine was! And pretty, pretty please come back to read this week, I promise to have some real and fun postings!

And thanks to those who have given me lovely awards in the past few weeks..I haven't gotten to them yet, but I will and apprecaite them so SO much!

Every new beginning...

...comes from some other beginning's end. God doesn't shut a door without opening a window. Everything happens for a reason. I thought I knew a few more of these kind of cliches but apparently I am drawing a blank today. Which is kind of unfortunate since me and Mr. Toothbrush decided to officially end things last night. So if you do know some more good cliches that I could use right about now, by all means post them in the comments section!

While there was no improper use of a post-it note, this all has a very Berger (Sex and the City) feel to it. The feeling of "this should have worked, but it didn't", and you can't quite explain why.


I am pretty upset about it all will be ok.
It hurts like heck right now will all be fine.
I know all of that.

But today and right now I just have this sort of sad feeling. And as my very zen friend V might appreciate, I am going to go ahead and honor that feeling of sadness for a couple days. And then I am just going to pick myself up and keep looking forward.

I am sure I will be back to some regular posting now that the whole big question mark of Mr. Toothbrush is out of the way. I will say, it felt good to share everything here. I felt less alone with my thoughts and appreciate everyone who left me thoughtful comments or sent me sweet notes. You have no idea how awesome that was. Thanks for reading me, even when I am at my un-funniest. And I will aim for more funny moving forward :)

My kind of town....

In just a little while I will be peacing out of my office and peacing OUT of DC to head on over to Chicago. Wile I am definitely not stoked about the meetings I have in our Chicago office next week, I am happy that I get to plan some "fun time" around the trip and see friends there. And a special thanks to one of my old sorority sisters for having me as her guest for the weekend. This more than makes up for her sup-par tour guide performance on one of last year's trips to the Windy City. (To be fair, I may have been just the tiniest bit annoying asking questions about every single building we passed.)

I will let you all in on a secret, I have a bit of a crush on Chicago. While I don't know how I would handle the winters there -- in fact I have been nervous that I will freeze to death there this weekend -- I developed a little crush on the Second City when I travelled there for work (different job) many years ago. And it's grown over the years into a full-blown crush. I go there and feel like I could absolutely see myself living there and really liking it. This also may have something to do with an odd affinity I have noticed over the years for Midwestern Guys (which I am going to delve into in an upcoming post, for reals)

I will also let you in on a not-so-secret fact that I am so very happy to get out of DC for a few days and temporarily put some geographic distance between myself and my life here. My stresses at work, my of-late crazy hectic schedule, and my Mr. Toothbrush woes. While I know it is not healthy to run from problems...I know my @ss is gonna be borderline sprinting towards that plane later this afternoon. It's just for a few days...I can (attempt) to deal with all those problems and worries when I get back. Trust me, I am sure they will all still be here!

Oh, and suggestions for INDOOR activities in Chicago welcome! Like I said...it is gonna be friggin' freezing there!

Hope you all have a great weekend!

What I'm Loving Wednesday

Since Tales from the Trenches Tuesday is on a bit of a hiatus (and special thanks to folks for their comments and words of encouragement about that), I figured I am in desperate need of another "regular" weekly posting. So I have linked up with Jamie at This Kind of Love for What I'm Loving Wednesday.

This week,
I'm loving... Rice Krispies. So weird, right? I had bought a box last month for some cookies I made (sounds odd, but it is a FAB cookie recipe!) and of course the only size they had was the jumbo box. So now with leftover Rice Krispies I have been enjoying the occasional small bowl at night as a bedtime snack. No, I shouldn't be eating at bedtime, but there are worse snacks in the world, right? Rice Krispies remind me of my Gram, I always remember her eating them for breakfast when we stayed at her house in the summer, so something about that snap-crackle-pop sound is oddly comforting to me.

I'm loving...the ABC Family show "Greek" and wondering how in the world I was never watching this show?!? I have always heard people rave about it, and being a reformed sorority girl myself you would have thought I would have been all over this show when it started a few years ago. When I was up at my parents' house for Christmas, I noticed my mom had all the seasons on DVD and stole borrowed them. (Mom, if you are reading, I promise you I will return them!) Started watching them on Friday afternoon (after an unfortunate Netflix-Wii snafu) and have become absolutely hooked. Actually "borderline obsessed" is probably a more accurate description. This show is F-U-N-N-Y! And you don't have to have been in a fraternity or sorority to enjoy it, I promise. L has watched a bunch of the episodes with me and has laughed just as much as I have. I have gone home from work both nights this week and watched another 2-3 episodes each night and did not leave my apartment for much of this weekend, preferring to stay on the couch and watch this show. I am currently preaching the gospel of this show to other friends and trying to get them to watch - because I need validation that I am not a total nerd for being in my 30's and living for a show about college kids in fraternities and sororities.

I'm loving...people "creatively interpreting" (if you will) the work and words of Mr. Kanye West.
Muppet Style (warning - adult language)


And Groban style


I'm loving...the breakup of T.Swift and Jake Gyllenhaal. As a big Jakey G. fan I think she was WAY too young for him am happy to see him back on the market. I can't say I am dying to hear her pen another angst-ridden breakup ballad though.

I'm loving...being back to a routine. Yes, the hustle-and-bustle of the holidays is fun and exciting. But I am also drained from the end of 2010 - physically, mentally and emotionally. I am curretnly very pleased to get back to a more "normal" life routine, and with that, the ability to be more regular with getting some posts up here!

I'm loving...that I am not the only one in that boat, so I love seeing my other fave bloggers back in action and am enjoying catching up on all your posts. Keep 'em coming!